Programs
Our work can be split into 5 main programs, each with a different impact, but all contributing to the overall holistic approach of the Centre. While they are presented separately, there is often significant overlap between projects, and our service users will frequently make use of more than one over the years that they engage with us.
Rehabilitation and reintegration program
The rehabilitation process begins with providing the beneficiaries a safe haven and assessing their needs (home, food, hygiene, psychosocial support, health treatment, education, etc.). These victims are placed in one of the centre’s two shelters: Abatuje House and Harakeye House. Their support is based on a holistic approach, where they all benefit from all programs. Once the victims are accommodated in our shelters, then they take part of the other four programs to undergo their personal transformation. Prior to the reintegration process, we first trace back to the children’s family and reach out to them through consultation in order to reunite both the children and the parents accordingly. The follow-up for girls and the reintegration continue in their family to be sure if the girls are fully rehabilitated and reintegrated, which will prevent the trauma and stigmatisation.
Justice, campaign and advocacy (with counselling) program
The justice program deals with the legal files of young victims of rape and other gender-based violence and provides legal guidance, including the laws that states the protection of the children’s rights and lives. The program also allows collaboration work with government institutions, such as RIB (Rwanda Investigation Bureau) and the police to investigate and suppress gender-based violence and go after the perpetrator who lured young girls into sexual assaults. Every year this program organises a diverse campaigns of education and sensitization in order for the prevention of GBV and promoting the children’s and women’s rights.
Education program
The Education program has two components: vocational education and formal education. Formal education involves institutions from nursery to high school for the children and young girls, giving them the opportunity to start or resume on their studies through sponsoring. The vocational education is available for teen mothers and pregnant teens. This allows them to explore different learning opportunities and working activities to those living in a situation that does not allow them to follow academic studies. These activities involve arts and crafts, sewing, cooking and kitchen activities, gardening, and many more activities in order to boost their self-esteem and motivation.
Social economic and development program
The social economic and development program is dedicated to empower and support our beneficiaries’ transformation into self-financing or sustaining people. This program helps in girls’ empowerment through the girls cooperatives and also in generating the Centre Marembo income and in preventing malnutrition. These projects are: agro-farming, sewing and female empowerment.
Health program
The Imirasire Youth Clinic & Laboratory (IYCL) is a project part of the health program. The main objective is to ensure that every woman, child and adolescent have access to the health care and its information, to deliver awareness about sexual reproductive health and family planning, promote hygiene and sanitation practises, access to medical information, distribute preventive materials to counteract STDs and unwanted pregnancies and offer qualified health care to the victims of rape and related sexual abuse. The clinic provides a comfortable and safe environment for our victims in order to protect their privacy and avoid stigmatisation.